by Jennie Ruby, COTP
We hear it all the time: engage your learners, create e-learning that is engaging, make sure the students are engaged.
And so we create interactive eLearning. In our classrooms we call students by name and discuss things with them face to face. We ask them to raise their hands. In our online classrooms we have them click something, drag something, or move something every few moments. But does all this engagement automatically create learning? No.
Don’t get me wrong, engagement is very important. In fact, it is a prerequisite to learning. If the student is not paying attention, not attending, then learning is impossible. But engagement alone is not enough.
In computer training—training that teaches people how to use software, websites, apps, or online forms—we have known since the 1980s that hands-on training is essential. The experiment was run: merely demonstrate how the software works? The viewers learn nearly nothing. Have the learners try it with their own hands controlling the computer? Learning is greatly increased.
The key to learning is that the learner has to apply effort. And as instructors, we have to act as learning facilitators. We have to create opportunities for our learners to apply effort, and then we have to supervise and guide their efforts.
How can we do that in our online classes? Here are some methods to try:
- Have the students work along with you as you complete a software activity—they are applying hands-on effort.
- Ask them to show you how they did it—you are assessing their efforts.
- If you are using Adobe Connect, upload an interactive eLearning software simulation. Each student works through the simulation and gets a grade—again, the learners apply effort, and you assess their efforts.
- In GoToTraining, you can give a student control over the mouse and keyboard of your computer. Use that technique to allow a student to try out a software technique, even if they don’t have the software on their own computer. They are applying effort, and you are either guiding, or supplying feedback, on their efforts.
- Adobe Connect and GoToTraining allow you to set up a scorable quiz for your participants right in your online classroom. The learners apply effort in trying to answer the quiz questions. Then you can review the answers and reinforce their efforts.
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Join me early next month when I join Kevin Siegel and AJ Walther for the May edition of ICCOTP's Online Training Professional certification course. There are only a few seats left so don't delay.
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Jennie Ruby, CTT, COTP, is a veteran eLearning developer, trainer, and author. Jennie has an M.A. from George Washington University and is a Certified Technical Trainer and Certified Online Training Professional. She teaches both classroom and online courses, and has authored courseware, published training books, and developed content for countless eLearning projects. She is also a publishing professional with more than 30 years of experience in writing, editing, print publishing, and eLearning.
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